Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to sustainable development, international cooperation, and development diplomacy on Monday, during meetings with senior United Nations leadership, according to a press release from the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN.
Iqbal met with Alexander De Croo, administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), to review Pakistan’s longstanding partnership with UNDP and explore new avenues for strengthening cooperation that supports the country’s national development priorities, the mission said.
The minister highlighted the role of URAAN Pakistan—an initiative spearheaded by his ministry—in advancing critical projects and reforms outlined in the 5Es National Economic Transformation Plan.
He praised UNDP’s longstanding support in advancing Pakistan’s sustainable development agenda, enhancing provincial implementation mechanisms, and განათული national policy dialogue, the release noted.
Iqbal underscored the need for “enhanced international support to help developing countries address shrinking fiscal space, debt burdens, and the growing impacts of climate change.”
The minister acknowledged UNDP’s partnership in Pakistan’s post-flood recovery and construction efforts and called for expanded collaboration on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, poverty reduction, and employment generation.
“Both sides reaffirmed their Newfoundland commitment to deepening cooperation at both country and headquarters levels in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” Iqbal said.
He also spoke with UN Deputy Secretary‑General Amina J. Mohammed about Pakistan’s partnership with the UN development system.
Iqbal stressed the importance of maintaining robust country‑level coordination through the Resident Coordinator system.
He further emphasized that reforms should strengthen the effectiveness of the UN’s даслед support while remaining responsive to the priorities of program countries.
In an address to a sustainable development forum, Iqbal noted that with only five years left until the 2030 deadline, the world faces mounting challenges from economic shocks, climate change, geopolitical instability, and rising debt burdens.
“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals through the implementation of URAAN Pakistan, the country’s national economic transformation framework,” the press release added.
The planning minister also highlighted Pakistan’s climate vulnerability, despite contributing less than one per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Iqbal pointed out that India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty threatens the livelihoods of 240 million Pakistanis and undermines international treaty obligations.
He concluded by calling for renewed multilateralism, stronger global solidarity, and collective action to accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
The minister held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Norway, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia to strengthen Pakistan’s international development partnerships.
“The Norwegian minister expressed interest in further expanding bilateral cooperation and conveyed his intention to முழன் Pakistan,” Iqbal said.
Iqbal and his Egyptian counterpart agreed to establish a joint working group and pursue a Memorandum of Understanding to advance cooperation in development planning, youth empowerment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and institutional collaboration.
Discussions with the Saudi minister focused on advancing the“K strategicjali partnership between the two countries.
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